#influenceconf

So I briefly mentioned awhile ago that I was going to the influence conference at the end of September. Well, here I am only 2 weeks away! Can you believe summer is almost over? For those going to the conference, can you believe it is almost here?!?

I think this is one of those "pinch me" moments. Am I really going to a blogging conference? I can't wait to be around hundreds of women who will completely understand why I would want to go to a blogging conference. People in my personal life are like, "What? A conference for blogging? They have those?"

Well I'm a day late for this influence conference meet and greet linkup, but that's just my style. Fashionably late.

So two four things I absolutely must have with me on this trip...

{one} my phone. How else would I blow up instagram with all of my #influenceconf pictures?

{two} my laptop. enough said, right?

{three} My starbucks card. Because who wouldn't buy a ton of coffee that doubles as a tax write off?

{four} My camera. aka: my fourth baby. 2 cats, a dog, and my nikon.

And two things I'm looking forward to:

{one} this has nothing to do with the conference, but I can't wait to meet my long time blog friend Greta from Modern Garden!! She isn't actually going to the conference but lives somewhat close by and is going to drive up so we can meet! You know those people you just instantly connect with? That is Greta. We have only communicated through email/blog comments but I feel like I could talk with this girl for hours. (Don't worry mom, she is a real person!)

{two} I'm just excited to be out of my element. I am a very introverted person and being in a large crowd of people is going to be pretty intimidating, especially since I haven't actually met any of these people. I like pushing myself and I know that God has me there for a reason.

I can't wait to meet all of you beautiful ladies! Be sure to let me know if you will be there!

Put a bird on it

Top: Target // Maxi: H&M // Shoes (most amazingly comfortable flats ever): Urban Outfitters // Jewelry: F21

Recently I went through the registration process on Stitch Fix and one of the questions (and by one I really mean like 20) was about what styles I like. (This outfit, by the way, has nothing to do with stitch fix.) I went back and forth several times before I could settle on an actual style(s) and which ones I tend to wear the most. I don't really feel like I have one particular style, I pretty much like all of them. As long as it doesn't involve 5 inch heels, I'm game. I'll follow trends. I like simple and classic. Some days I like to look rocker/punk-ish (big ish there). Other days I like to look sophisticated and polished. And according to this bandana, I also like to try to be gangsta/ housemaid/ Rosie The Riveter.

My husband says I'm eclectic. I like to mix and match, and by match I of course mean making sure things don't.

Eclectic... Sure, I'll accept that.

The Question

outfit details

There is a question that as a married woman I get asked all the time. Nearly once a week.

"When are you having kids?"

I totally understand the question. It is only the natural next step, especially after being married for (almost) four years.

Lots of my friends have kids, or are trying for kids, or want kids but are waiting for the "right time". I think being a mom is a wonderful gift. It seems to make life deeper and more meaningful. You get to share a love for someone that you never knew you could have. At least this is what I have gathered from those that have children.

But I feel like there is something that I have to get off my chest about all this.

I don't want kids.

There I said it. I may be completely kicked out of any blogging friend circle I ever thought I would be a part of. When I tell people this they usually just stare at me for a little while, ask me why, and then tell me that I will be a great mom and I'll change my mind some day. Or they ask,"Well who is going to take care of you when you get older?" Or tell me I am going to be really lonely. There is a whole list of responses I get with the underlying theme that I am a selfish person and will grow up to be old and bitter. The only thing I have to say to all that is that I know a lot of amazing, loving, selfless people who chose not to have children. I know you think it is impossible, but it happens.

If you are just sitting and waiting for me to tell you my reasons, you are probably going to keep waiting because I don't really have any. Many women tell me that being a mother was their calling. They knew from a very young age that they were going to be a mother.

I didn't. 

My mother can tell you that from a very young age I have said that I wasn't going to have children. At best I said I would have World Vision children.

There have definitely been times in my life that I thought I would grow out of this. There is still the chance that I will change my mind. Of course there is always the chance that I will get pregnant regardless of my desires or efforts not to. I'm ok with that. If God wants me to have children I'm sure I will, and I will love them with all my heart and be eternally thankful for them. I'll tell them that it was never my plan to have children, but that I am so happy I did because they make my life richer every day.

I don't think less of women who choose to be mothers. I have the utmost respect for mothers. I still like to hang out with them. I don't feel like they are less of a person or that I could never possibly have anything in common with them. I don't resent them for bringing their kids along for lunch dates or shopping trips. Or when they have to ignore our conversation to pay attention to their child. I totally get it. I know that having lunch with me will take the backseat to making sure their child is feed and had their afternoon nap, or just having a good day in general.

I have been surrounded by children my entire life. I have over a dozen nieces and nephews, the first which was born when I was five and some which lived with my family at different times. I may not entirely know what being a mother is like, but I know what it is like to hang out with one and I enjoy it all the same.

I suppose the only thing I ask from the world is just not to judge me. I still strive to be a giving and loving person. I try not to judge the moms with the screaming kids in the grocery stores, because I have no idea what it is like to be in their shoes.

We don't all have the same calling. Yours may be to be a mother. Maybe mine isn't?

A crime against dressers

Ever since things took off in my shop I've been in dire need of an office makeover/ finish unpacking/ organization. So this past weekend Alex and I did as much work as we could on that front. Starting with adding some sort of storage for all my stuff.

About two years ago we picked up this beautiful *sarcasm* dresser at a garage sale. I'm pretty sure these people thought they were never ever going to sell this thing, but alas Alex and I came to their rescue. They practically paid us to take it it was so cheap.

Who ever stained this thing yellow and blueish-green should have their decorating privileges revoked. This is just a home decor sin. Anyways, underneath all that ugliness I knew I saw a true beauty (as well as a sturdy good quality dresser).

Can we just talk for a second about how hard it is to find a quality dresser these days? Even if you find a really good looking new dresser it often isn't made out of real wood and even more often it has those horrible cardboard/paper bottoms that fall out the second you put anything in them. This dresser didn't have that. It had real wood drawer bottoms that are reinforced underneath. I knew I couldn't get a dresser of this quality for the price anywhere.

Anyways, lets get on to my favorite part, which is the after pictures.

I love the stripes. I love that they are soft and subtle, but definitely still there. I'm still working on organizing the other half of my office, but I can't wait to show you guys how much better it looks. I actually feel like I can get some work done now. Which is actually what I need to head off and do.

Thanks for reading!

New stuff!

Hey guys! I've got a special giveaway going on over at Aunie Sauce today! Head on over there to enter! If you haven't visited her blog before you are missing out because she is probably one of the sweetest girls I have ever met (or read about I suppose?)

In other news I have also listed a bunch of new cover designs so you should check them out and see if there is anything you just can't live without! There is lots of new stuff to come so keep your eye out for more stuff :)

PS. Thanks for the beautiful collage Aunie!!

Coping with stress

Sometimes I allow stress to get the better of me. Which is just silly and a big waste of time. When I am stressed I don't get anything accomplished, I just focus on how daunting everything is. It feels like I'm running in a marathon, but instead of moving forward I'm just running in place. Or worse, sometimes it feels like I'm running backwards.

Today I've been focusing on using my time wisely and getting organized. Everything feels less stressful when I am organized. All my important deadlines need to be written down, things need to be in their rightful homes, clutter needs to vanish. Something about writing things down and putting things away brings such a huge release of tension for me.

I still feel stressed, but I feel the intensity of it ebbing away little by little.

Working from home

Gosh guys, I am so incredibly blessed by my customers and followers! Seriously you are all great! Also my family and friends! I have never felt so encouraged and able do anything I set my mind to. This summer has been a huge success. I finally started a shop selling my own products, I've taken care of an incredibly active puppy all summer (anyone a GSD owner??), and I've worked hard at keeping my house clean (I type as I'm sitting in my disaster of an office).

Before starting my own business I was one of those people that idolized those that could work from home. It sounds so relaxing doesn't it? Crawling out of bed in the morning, coffee cup in hand, sending some business emails, spending a few hours focused in your work, all while hanging out in your cozy home and pjs. Meanwhile, in the real world, working from home means being incredibly disciplined when it comes to waking up in the morning, always bringing your work home (aka: thinking about it during "non-working hours"), having to take care of household chores and office chores. I could go on, but I wont.

With all that said, I can't believe it is real. I can't believe I "work from home" and am actually making money from it. Here is my advice to anyone: If I can do it, YOU can do it! Put your stuff out there! You never know what is going to happen, just make sure it is developed first, but once you've got that down, you're golden.

I'd love to be a super diligent blogger, but honestly right now I think my focus is on my shop. As much as I love blogging, I actually love designing planners and selling them even more. I'm still confused about what I want this blog to be and what my purpose for it is, but I'm at peace with that for now. I know God brought this platform into my life for a reason, if only he would give me a clearer picture of what that was...

Also looks like I will be at the influence conference!! Who else is going??